Une nouvelle usine pour Veg Pro International
Sherrington, October 24, 2007 — Veg Pro International, one of Canada’s leading farm producers, has announced the completion of its brand new plant located in Sherrington in the Montérégie region. The 55,000 square foot facility, built at a cost of 11 million dollars, will specialize in the production of salad mix and pre washed vegetables. It will operate year round and keep 500 jobs in Québec.
“This is a happy day for Veg Pro International and the entire team, says Gerry Van Winden, owner and son of a vegetable producer. We worked hard to build a leading-edge plant with efficient equipment and new technologies that was designed according to the highest sanitation standards in the industry. We are very proud of what we have accomplished”. The new plant in Sherrington replaces Veg Pro’s Napierville facility which was destroyed in a fire a little more than a year ago.
Veg Pro specializes in the growing and processing of baby lettuce and spinach, which are sold pre-washed. This particular market segment is experiencing a rapid growth of over 30% per year. Veg Pro’s new production are based on a 48-hour window, from the harvesting to the packaging of the baby lettuce and spinach. “With our brand new plant, Veg Pro International will continue to grow and position itself as a leader in the production and processing of fresh lettuce and vegetables.” explained Gerry Van Widen.
Buying local, all year round
Veg Pro International is one of the only local companies to produce mesclun in Quebec. Buying local promotes our products as well as jobs in Quebec. Several of Veg Pro’s products, such as mesclun mix and spinach, are sold in 100% recyclable trays in the refrigerated counter of the vegetable section under the “Fresh Attitude” brand name. With their “Aliments Quebec” logo, they are available in Quebec’s major food chains.
Veg Pro International - Freshness and diversity all year long!
Company Fact Sheet, Version 3 – Oct. 11, 2007
- Veg Pro International specializes in the growing and processing of young lettuce shoots (mesclun) and spinach, which are sold pre-washed under the brand name “Fresh Attitude”.
- Veg Pro operates year-round in its Sherrington, Québec facilities or in Belle Glade, Florida. In the winter, Veg Pro makes the most of its partnerships with Mexico businesses to provide clients with lettuce and fresh vegetables.
- In Québec, Veg Pro grows several types of lettuce and other fresh vegetables from May through November. The five farms associated with the Van Winden Group operate on 4,150 acres in the Montérégie region and have over 500 employees, for total sales of 65 million dollars.
- Veg Pro distributes 80% of its products on the US market. Its products are thus FDA-approved (Food and Drug Administration).
- Veg Pro dedicates an entire sector to research and development to remain on the leading edge of the latest technologies and operate in accordance with the highest standards.
- The new Veg Pro plant, with a total area of 55,000 sq. ft., was designed based on HACCP standards (i.e. pertaining to hazard analysis and critical control points) and complies with the industry’s highest standards in connection with sanitation.
- Veg Pro’s production methods allow to comply with a 48-hour period from the picking to the packaging of new lettuce shoots and spinach.
Veg Pro International - Freshness and diversity all year long!
Product Fact Sheet, Version 3 – Oct. 11, 2007
- Veg Pro International specializes in the growing and processing of young lettuce shoots (mesclun) and spinach.
- Veg Pro is one of the only local companies to produce mesclun in Québec, thus allowing consumers to save on “food kilometers” and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions associated with the consumption of these healthy products. Veg Pro makes minimum use of authorized insecticides.
- The “Spring Mix” mesclun and the new spinach produced by Veg Pro are sold pre-washed under the “Fresh Attitude” brand name. They also bear the “Aliments Québec” logo.
- The “Fresh Attitude” mesclun is a mix containing a variety of young lettuce shoots, such as romaine, arugula, field salad, chicory, escarole, etc.
- The bulk “Spring Mix” produced by Veg Pro is also distributed in certain Montréal markets.
- The “Fresh Attitude” brand products are available in Quebec’s major food chains (IGA, Metro & Metro Plus, Super C, Marché Richelieu, Sobeys), in Ontario (Sobeys, Foodland, Price Chopper, Loeb, A&P, Dominion, Food Basics) and in the Maritimes (Sobeys).
The “Fresh Attitude” brand products are also distributed in all Publix supermarket chains in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and Alabama.